TE VAKA O RU - Strengthening Aitutaki communities

By
Cook Islands Tourism
Photography By
Cook Islands Tourism

The Te Vaka O Ru programme held a special round to acknowledge all the villages on Aitutaki.  A lump sum of $5,000 was shared equally between the eight villages for their efforts to keep their communities safe.

Cook Islands Tourism representative, Misepa Isamaela with members of the Te Vaka O Ru committee presented each of the village certificates and cash grants during a special presentation on Friday the 12th of June.

“This reward is a way of saying Meitaki Atupaka on behalf of the Te Vaka O Ru committee to all the people in the villages on Araura who have contributed to National Response efforts during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Isamaela.  “The cash grant will go towards strengthening a pre-nominated community project of their choice and help to continue and support their valuable work” added Isamaela.  

Nikaupara Oire will use their winning funds to support their village clean up to minimise mosquito breeding areas to combat dengue fever. The funds will specifically be used to purchase fuel for their machinery to conduct the cleaning projects.

Ureia oire
Te Vaka O Ru committee member, Richard Story hands over Ureia Oire’s certificate to Ake Tuakeu who was extremely thankful for their funds which they plan to use on a uniform for 12 of their executive members

Tautu Oire on the other hand will utilise their funds to support the preparedness project of the Tautu Disaster Committee in the event of a Natural Disaster. Their funds will go towards items such as office stationery, storage bins, gloves, First Aid Kits, torches, batteries and candles to help their committee prepare for future disasters such as Cyclones and Tsunamis. These items will also help them straight away with the current COVID-19 pandemic preparations.

Tautu Taskforce
Te Vaka O Ru committee member, Kaleena Davey hands over the certificate to Tautu Taskforce Leaders, Rere Mataiti and Nga Teinangaro who will utilise their funds towards preparing for any Natural disaster

Vaipae Oire have dedicated their funds towards their beautification projects. This will include the purchase of fuel, payments towards grass cutter workers and paint to spruce up their monument at the main entry into Vaipae Village.

Vaipae Taskforce
Regina Potini receives the award on behalf of Vaipae Task Force from Misepa Isamaela that will go towards their beautification projects

Vaipeka Oire funding will be directed towards their village child welfare project. This will involve making a cupboard on wheels to store the children’s weighing scale, storage bins for sanitizers, paper towels and First Aid Kits. This will ensure that items are well stored and taken care of during village baby checkups.

Vaipeka oire
Nia Teko receives the award from Cook Islands Tourism representative, Misepa Isamaela on behalf of the Vaipeka Oire where their winning funds will go towards supporting a child welfare project.

Meitaki Atupaka to all the people on Aitutaki for working together for a safer nation. For more information on the Te Vaka O Ru programme please contact Misepa Isamaela on [email protected] or +682 31767.